GATE EC 2017 Set 1 — Question 54
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Electromagnetics → Plane Waves → Polarization (Linear, Circular, Elliptical)
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Question
The expression for an electric field in free space is , where represent the spatial coordinates, represents time, and are constants. This electric field
Correct answer
(C) represents an elliptically polarized plane wave propagating along the x - y plane.
Solution
1.The phase term is . Comparing with , we find , so the propagation vector is . This is in the - plane.
2.For a plane wave in free space, . Here, . Thus, it is a plane wave.
3.The field has components , , and .
4.Let's define a coordinate system relative to . The propagation direction is . One transverse component is . The other transverse component is .
5.The field can be written as .
6.Since the two orthogonal components have a phase difference () but unequal magnitudes (), the wave is elliptically polarized.
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